Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its travel guidance for fully vaccinated adults. Given recent studies evaluating the real-world effects of vaccination, the CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people can travel at low risk to themselves. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last recommended dose of vaccine.

Fully vaccinated people can travel within the United States and do not need COVID-19 testing or post-travel self-quarantine as long as they continue to take COVID-19 precautions while traveling – wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, practicing social distancing and frequently washing hands.

Because of the potential introduction and spread of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, differences in disease burden and vaccines, and vaccine coverage around the world, the CDC provides the following guidance related to international travel. Fully vaccinated people:

• Can travel internationally without getting a COVID-19 test before travel unless it is required by the international destination.
• Do not need to self-quarantine after returning to the U.S., unless required by a state or local jurisdiction.
• Must still have a negative COVID-19 test result before they board a flight to the United States and get a COVID-19 test three to five days after returning from international travel.
• Should continue to take COVID-19 precautions while traveling internationally.

This guidance does not change the agency’s existing guidance for people who are not fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated travelers should still get tested one to three days before domestic travel and again three to five days after travel. They should stay home and self-quarantine for seven days after travel or 10 days if they don’t get tested at the conclusion of travel. Non-essential domestic travel by those who are not fully vaccinated is discouraged.

“With millions of Americans getting vaccinated every day, it is important to update the public on the latest science about what fully vaccinated people can do safely, now including guidance on safe travel,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. “We continue to encourage every American to get vaccinated as soon as it’s their turn, so we can begin to safely take steps back to our everyday lives. Vaccines can help us return to the things we love about life, so we encourage every American to get vaccinated as soon as they have the opportunity.”

Check here for updates to CDC travel guidance:

Domestic travel

International travel